Friday, May 20, 2011
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Ohio teachers and home-schooling families would be eligible for tax credits for instructional materials they purchase under legislation being considered in the Ohio Senate.
Senate Bill 146 was offered by Sen. Tim Schaffer, a Republican from Lancaster, after hearing from teachers who have to pay out of pocket for supplies used in their public-school classrooms.
“An example is one school in my district, which allows teachers two ink cartridges a year for their computer printers in their classrooms,” Schaffer said. “Many times, this does not fulfill the needs of a classroom, and the teachers must purchase ink cartridges on his or her own.”
Schaffer provided sponsor testimony on the legislation Thursday before the Senate’s Ways and Means and Economic Development Committee.
Senate Bill 146 would provide income-tax credits up to $100 for teachers and individuals who home-school their children, beginning next year. To be eligible, teachers would have to be licensed to teach in a primary or secondary school in Ohio or have appropriate verification that they are home-schooling.
The tax credit would be nonrefundable, meaning filers would not receive refunds if the credit is more than the actual tax bill.
“This bill is a small way of repaying the teachers for their commitment to their students and their schools,” Schaffer said.
A tax credit is a reduction in the amount of taxes owed.